The first signs of West Nile virus have been detected in the state of Washington. Officials from the state's health department said that samples from mosquitoes collected in the county of Yakima this week have been positive for the virus, according to Kiro TV.
The state also identified areas in the south central Washington as likely places where these virus-carrying mosquitoes thrive.
Health officials in Washington are already encouraging the public to take preventive measures by using bug repellents, wearing protective clothing and cleaning up surroundings, especially standing water like in birdbaths and wading pools.
Meanwhile, the health department in the state of Oklahoma has also issued a warning to its residents as cases of West Nile virus infection could rise in the next few weeks.
Professional bug companies are already getting plenty of calls regarding mosquito activity in the state. "Lots of calls. Lots of calls. More than we can do sometimes. There's a lot to cover over here and a lot of areas to harbor mosquitoes," said Brett Fradey, a professional bug killer, according to KFor.
"Our population in our traps is up about 526 percent from last year. With more mosquitoes, there is a higher risk of getting bitten by a mosquito with West Nile Virus," said Waite Colbaugh of the local health department. They have been testing sites for West Nile in the past weeks.
"The West Nile Virus is actually brought into the county by migrating birds. So those birds migrate through and nest, they are going to bring the viruses with them from the areas where the migrating from. So West Nile positive birds are going to be bitten by mosquitoes, which is then going to bite another animal and transmit the virus," he added.
